​​Bridges to Employment

COVID-19 Program Update:Encompass is open but running modified services and programming during the COVID-19 outbreak. We are working to help flatten the curve while also working to support our staff, community and clients through a complex time.The Bridges program is temporarily suspending program activities to develop external learning options(Call and connect should you need access to support or have any questions - 604.866.8938)

​A Langley Youth Employment Skills Program

​​Presented by Encompass Support Services Society (ESSS) and funded by Service Canada, the Bridges to Employment Program, aims to support youth overcome barriers to employment through assessments, group based skills development and work experience with local employers. Youth are paid an hourly wage during their entire time in the program.​Our hopes are that the youth involved will develop a broad range of skills and knowledge in order to participate in the current and future labour market, and to promote education and skills acquisition as being key to labour market participation. The Bridges to Employment Program will provide Employment Counselling, Job Entry Skills, Certificate Training, Paid Work Experience, Mentoring and Post Job Placement Support to eligible youth 15-30 years of age, facing barriers to employment.

Workshop DetailsBridges to Employment is a 26-week supportive employment program. There will be two cohorts per year, for a projected 20 youth going through the program during a 52-week period.

Youth will be paid an hourly wage based on the provincial minimum wage rate for the entire time that they are actively participating in the program (class-work and work-experience).

Program Breakdown:

8 weeks, at 30 hours per week, of group-based skills development including resume building, interview skills, work skills training (i.e. First Aid, FoodSafe, etc.), financial literacy and life skills.

13 weeks, at 30 hours per week, at a job-placement. During the orientation and job-placement, youth and employers will be supported through check-ins and regular progress follow-ups by a Youth Employment Support Worker (YESW).

To be Considered Eligible for this Program:

Must be 15 to 30 years of age;

Must be unemployed or precariously employed - working unstable or irregular hours (such as casual labour or on-call work), working for unreliable wages (such as piece-work or commission) and/or working for earnings that cannot support an individual or their family;

Must not be a full-time student;

Must be a resident of BC (living in BC as a Canadian, a permanent resident or a protected person) and legally entitled to work in Canada (not utilizing any type of Visa (i.e. work or student);

Must not have participated in another provincially or federally funded labour market program;

Must be able to commit to 26 consecutive weeks of in-class and work-experience placement.

​Barriers to Employment Include:

Living with a disability (i.e. mental health, learning disability, etc.);

Program Update:

Class start date has been announced for 2020! Our second Bridges to Employment workshop will begin on Tuesday, February 18th. To view the updated poster, click on the image below:

​Apply to be a Supportive Employer

​​We are currently looking to collaborate with businesses in the community who are open to supporting youth who may experience multiple barriers to employment; provide an experience the workplace and help them to develop a frame of reference within which to review or revise their career and life development goals.

Employers that hire and train youth through our program and provide 16 weeks of work experience are eligible for a negotiated wage subsidy incentive.​A Company is Eligible to Become a Supportive Employer if:

In business for a minimum of one year;

In good standing with WorkSafe BC;

The interested youth has not worked for employer previously (youth must be a new hire);

Must be able to employ new hire for a minimum of 16 consecutive weeks, with the hopes of keeping the youth on after the 16 weeks;